Association between intimate partner violence and depressive symptoms across household wealth levels in women of reproductive age in Peru

Womens Health (Lond). 2025 Jan-Dec;21:17455057251351410. doi: 10.1177/17455057251351410. Epub 2025 Jul 6.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is the most prevalent form of violence against women globally and is linked to depressive symptoms and other mental health disorders. Socioeconomic status is associated with both IPV and depressive symptoms, yet few studies have explored household wealth as a potential modifier of this relationship.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the association between IPV and depressive symptoms according to household wealth levels among Peruvian women in 2023.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional study.

METHODS: A secondary analysis of the 2023 Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES) in Peru was conducted, including 10,161 women of reproductive age in the final analysis. The exposure variable was IPV, and the outcome variable was depressive symptoms. Household wealth levels were classified into quintiles ranging from Q1 (poorest) to Q5 (wealthiest). A multivariate regression analysis was performed.

RESULTS: The association between IPV and depressive symptoms decreased as household wealth increased: poorest (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR): 2.42, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.07-2.83), poor (aPR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.64-2.5), and middle-income (aPR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.47-2.43); however, no associations were found in wealthy households (aPR: 1.37, 95% CI: 0.96-1.94). In the wealthiest households, the association between IPV and depressive symptoms was significant again (aPR: 2.71, 95% CI: 1.69-4.34). Emotional and physical violence showed similar trends in relation to household wealth levels. In wealthy households, no type of IPV (emotional, sexual, or physical) was associated with depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSION: We found that the association between IPV and depressive symptoms is unequal and not present at all household wealth levels in Peru. A moderate level of wealth may weaken the association between IPV and depressive symptoms among Peruvian women of reproductive age. Moreover, in the wealthiest households, the association is even stronger than in poorer households, which has implications for the implementation of universal and inclusive public policies that address women and families across all socioeconomic sectors.

PMID:40618231 | DOI:10.1177/17455057251351410